Frame assembly for shelter

ABSTRACT

A frame assembly for a flexible structure includes a plurality of leg assemblies and a hub assembly. Each leg assembly includes a longer leg portion and a shorter leg portion that is hingedly connected at one end of the longer leg portion. The hub assembly includes an upper hub hingedly secured to the longer leg portions of the plurality of leg assemblies, a lower hub hingedly secured to the shorter leg portions of the plurality of leg assemblies and configured to be releasably secured to the upper hub, and a cam release secured to the upper hub and configured to release the lower hub from the upper hub. Other embodiments and methods are further disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to shelters, such as tents, and particularly to a frame assembly that is capable of being quickly and efficiently deployed from a collapsed, stored configuration to a use configuration in which the frame assembly supports flexible tent material.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Collapsible tents or shelters are well-known in the art. Examples of collapsible tents may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,202,363 and 6,802,329.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a frame assembly for a flexible structure is provided. In at least some embodiments, the frame assembly comprises a plurality of leg assemblies, each leg assembly including a longer leg portion and a shorter leg portion that is hingedly connected at one end thereof to the longer leg portion, and a hub assembly including an upper hub hingedly secured to the longer leg portions of the plurality of leg assemblies, a lower hub hingedly secured to the shorter leg portions of the plurality of leg assemblies and configured to be releasably secured to the upper hub, and a cam release secured to the upper hub and configured to release the lower hub from the upper hub.

In some aspects, the upper hub includes a retaining edge. In various aspects, the lower hub includes one or more flange projecting to the upper hub, the one or more flange including a mating retaining edge configured to releasably secure the lower hub to the upper hub. According to another aspect, the cam release includes one or more rib configured to releasably engage the one or more flange when rotating the cam release with respect to the upper hub.

According to one or more embodiments, the frame assembly further comprises one or more cords connected to one of the upper and lower hubs. In at least one embodiment, the one or more cords are configured to draw the upper and lower hubs toward one another. According to some embodiments, the frame assembly further comprises one or more pulleys. In certain embodiments, the pulleys are secured to the other of the upper and lower hubs, the one or more cords engaging the one or more pulleys to assist in drawing the upper and lower hubs toward one another.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the upper and lower hubs are each configured to releasably secure the respective leg portion to the hub. In some embodiments, the upper and lower hubs each include a slot formed on an outer surface of the hub. In certain instances, each leg assembly includes a spline pivotally connected to the respective leg portion of the leg assembly, the spline being secured within the slot by one or more pins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tent or shelter of an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tent or shelter of another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a frame assembly of a tent or shelter of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a leg assembly of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5-7 are cross-sectional views of the frame assembly when in a deployed or operable configuration;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the frame assembly;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a cam release of the frame assembly;

FIGS. 10-16 are views showing a frame assembly of another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 17-21 are views showing a frame assembly of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

For the purposes of illustration only, and not to limit the generality, the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. This disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The principles set forth in this disclosure are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is generally indicated at 10 a tent of an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that although the term “tent” is used herein, the concepts disclosed herein may be applied to any form of enclosure, canopy or shelter. The tent 10 includes a frame assembly, generally indicated at 12, and a cover 14 of sheet material, which is releasably secured to the frame assembly. The tent 10 is shown in its deployed or use position in FIG. 1. As shown, frame assembly 12 is configured to be secured to the cover 14 so that the frame assembly is located substantially outside of the cover to enable the cover to be suspended from the frame. FIG. 2 illustrates another tent, generally indicated at 16 having the frame assembly 12 and a cover 18, which is secured to the frame assembly in a different manner. It should be noted that the frame assembly 12 could alternatively be positioned on the interior of the cover 14 or 18.

The frame assembly 12 includes a hub assembly, generally indicated at 20 (FIGS. 5-8), and a plurality of leg assemblies or support members, each generally indicated at 22, which are attached to the hub assembly. As shown in FIG. 1, the leg assemblies 22 are bowed outwardly and downwardly to from a conical- or dome-shaped structure for supporting the cover 14 of sheet material. In one embodiment, the cover 14 includes a plurality of vertical panels, each panel being connected to its two adjacent panels along respective side edges. One panel may be configured to form an opening or door (not shown) to provide access to the inside of the tent 10. A bottom or floor (not shown) for the tent may be provided by connecting an additional panel along the bottom edges of the vertical panels. The tent 10 shown in FIG. 1 illustrated four leg assemblies 22 equally spaced around and connected to the hub assembly 20. The cover 14 is attached at several positions along its side edges to a corresponding leg assembly 22, so that the points of connection can slide along the leg assembly. In certain embodiments, the points of connection may be rings or clips that are freely slidable along the leg assemblies 22 so that the cover 14 readily moves along the leg assemblies during erection of the tent 10 or when the tent is taken down.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the hub assembly 20 includes two hub subassemblies, upper hub sub-assembly generally indicated at 24, and lower hub sub-assembly, generally indicated at 26, which are pivotally connected to the leg assemblies 22. The upper and lower hub sub-assemblies 24, 26 are adjustable with respect to one another to achieve a retracted or collapsed configuration, in which the hub sub-assemblies are spaced apart from each other and the leg assemblies 22 are folded together, and a deployed or erected configuration, which may also be referred to as a use position, in which the hub sub-assemblies are located proximate or adjacent each other, as shown in FIGS. 5-8. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each leg assembly 22 includes a first, longer leg portion 28, and a second, shorter leg portion 30, where ends of the long and short leg portions are attached to respective hub sub-assemblies 24, 26, as further explained below. The long leg portion 28 has a free end that engages the ground and an opposite end pivotally connected to the upper hub sub-assembly 24. The short leg portion 30 has one end that is attached with a hinge mechanism 32 to its corresponding long leg portion 28 and an opposite end pivotally connected to the lower hub sub-assembly 26. The long leg portions 28 are segmented and hingedly secured to one another by any suitable manner, such as a shock-cord tent pole arrangement. When erecting the tent, the leg assemblies 22 are articulated from a collapsed position in which the legs assemblies are folded to achieve a substantially parallel configuration to a use or extended position in which the leg assemblies extend radially from the hub assembly 20. During this movement, the leg assemblies 22 are pivoted outwardly from the hub assembly 20, as shown in FIG. 1.

As described above, the hub assembly 20 includes the upper hub sub-assembly 24, the lower hub sub-assembly 26, and a pair of cords, each indicated at 34. When erecting the tent 10, the upper and lower hub sub-assemblies 24, 26 are moved from their collapsed position, where the upper and lower hub sub-assemblies are spaced apart from each other, to the use or erected position, where the upper and lower hub sub-assemblies are moved toward each other until they engage and are interconnected with one another. The cords 34 are secured to the upper hub sub-assembly 24 and extend downwardly through the lower hub sub-assembly 26 and upwardly through openings formed in the upper hub sub-assembly to extend outwardly and upwardly from a top of the upper hub sub-assembly. The purpose of the cords 34 is to cinch the upper hub sub-assembly 24 and the lower hub sub-assembly 26 together and increase the mechanical advantage to an operator deploying the frame assembly, which will be described in further detail below.

The upper hub sub-assembly 24 includes an upper end cap 36, having a cylindrical body and an upper end 38 that forms one end of the upper end cap and a bottom rim 40 that extends beyond the cylindrical body and has a closed end. The upper hub sub-assembly 24 further includes a cam release 42 and a top cap 44 secured to the upper end of the cylindrical body of the upper end cap 36. The top cap 44 and the bottom rim 40 of the upper end cap 36 together define an upper slot 46 that extends around the circumference of the upper end cap. The upper hub sub-assembly 24 further includes a plurality of upper splines, each indicated at 48, which are releasably secured to the upper end cap 36 within the upper slot 46. Each upper spline 48 includes a first portion that is positioned within the upper slot 46 of the upper end cap 36 and is adapted to be engaged by the top cap 44 and the bottom rim 40. Each upper spline 48 further includes a second portion that is provided with a circular opening to secure a knuckle of the first, longer leg portion 28 therein. Pins, each indicated at 50, are provided to attach the upper spline 48 to the upper hub sub-assembly 24 within the upper slot 46 so that the upper spline is retained within the upper slot when securing the upper hub sub-assembly together.

The cam release 42 and top cap 44 are fastened to a top of the upper end cap 36 by a main screw 52. The cylindrical body of the upper end cap 36 includes a threaded configuration 54 designed to threadably receive the main screw 52 therein. The cam release 42 has a disc-shaped body and includes the two circular openings for receiving the two cords 34, as discussed below. Positioned at the top of the disc-shaped body of the cam release 42 are two knobs, each indicated at 56, used for rotating the cam release between an unlocked and locked position. Secured at the end of the upper end cap 36 is the top cap 44, which has a disc-shaped body and includes a central opening that extends through the top cap. The arrangement is such that the two cords 34 extend through two circular openings formed in the end of the upper end cap 36, which are aligned with the circular openings of the cam release 42 the cylindrical body of the upper end cap, with the cords extending through the central through-hole formed in the top cap 44. The cylindrical body of the upper end cap 36 further includes two additional circular openings formed therein that are configured to secure knotted ends of the two cords 34. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cords 34 extend through the central through-hole and the aligned circular openings when the tent is in an erected configuration.

As with the upper hub sub-assembly 24, the lower hub sub-assembly 26 includes a lower end cap 58 having a cylindrical body with an outer wall and a rim 60 that extends beyond a mid-section circumference of the cylindrical body. The lower end cap 58 further includes a series of flexible flanges, each indicated at 62, which project upwardly from the top of the lower end cap and extend toward the upper end cap 36 of the upper hub sub-assembly 24. The lower hub sub-assembly 26 further includes a bottom cap 64 that is secured to the cylindrical body of the lower end cap 58 by several fasteners. The bottom cap 64 and the rim 60 together define a lower slot 66, which extends around the circumference of the lower end cap 58. In a similar manner, as the upper hub sub-assembly 24, the lower hub sub-assembly 26 includes several lower splines, each indicated at 68, which are releasably secured to the lower end cap 58 within the lower slot 66. Each lower spline 68 includes a first portion that is positioned within the lower slot 66 of the lower hub sub-assembly 26 and is adapted to be engaged by the bottom cap 64 and the rim 60 within the lower slot. Each lower spline 68 further includes a second portion that is provided with a circular opening to secure a knuckle of the second, shorter leg portion 30 therein. Pins, each indicated at 70, are provided to attach the lower spline 68 to the lower hub sub-assembly 26 within the lower slot 66 so that the lower spline is retained within the slot when securing the end cap 58 and the bottom cap 64 of the lower hub sub-assembly together.

The lower hub sub-assembly 26 further includes two pulleys, each indicated at 72, that are secured to a formation 74 provided on an upper surface of the bottom cap 64 by two shafts, each indicated at 76, which are configured to be attached to the formation. The lower end cap 58 further includes two circular openings formed therein for receiving the two cords 34 that are aligned with the two circular openings formed in the upper end cap 36 and the cam release 42 of the upper hub sub-assembly 24. The two cords 34 are threaded through the pulleys 72 and extend up through the aligned circular openings of the lower end cap 58, the upper end cap 36 and the cam release 42 (and through the central opening of the top cap 44) so that the cords wrap around and engage the pulleys.

A bottom surface of the cam release 42 of the upper hub sub-assembly 24 further includes ribs 78 (FIG. 8) that extend downward through the central opening in the top cap 44. The upper end cap 36 of the upper hub sub-assembly 24 further includes a retaining edge 80 that is configured to engage mating retaining edges 82 of the flexible flanges 62 to secure the lower hub sub-assembly 26 to the upper hub sub-assembly 24. The arrangement is such that the ribs 78 of the cam release 42 are configured to engage the flexible flanges 62 of the lower end cap 58 of the lower hub sub-assembly 26 to move the flexible flanges inboard thereby releasing the retaining edges 82 of the flexible flanges from the retaining edge 80 of the upper end cap 36. When the flexible flanges 62 are disengaged from the retaining edge 80, the upper hub sub-assembly 24 and the lower hub sub-assembly 26 are capable of being separated from each other, and the frame assembly 12 is configured to collapse into the aforementioned foldable form. Likewise, when the flexible flanges 62 engage the retaining edge 80, the upper hub sub-assembly 24 and lower hub sub-assembly 26 are connected to each other to enable the leg assemblies 22 to be extended and made rigid in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1.

When the tent 10 is erected, the longer leg portion 28 extends outwardly and downwardly from the hub assembly 20, and the shorter leg portion 30 extends substantially outwardly from the hub assembly. When the tent 10 is collapsed, the short leg portions 30 extend substantially within the longer leg portions 28, which extend downwardly as a bundle from the hub assembly 20, with the longer leg portions being in proximate side-by-side relationship with themselves and the shorter leg portions.

The two cords 34 pass through the circular openings of the respective upper and lower hub sub-assemblies 24, 26, with a knot being formed in the upper hub sub-assembly. The knot prevents the ends of the cords 34 from being pulled through the central through-hole of the upper end cap 36. In operation, the cam release 42 may initially be rotated to a position where the ribs 78 of the cam release are engaged with the retaining edge 80 of the upper end cap 36 of the upper hub sub-assembly 24, thereby disengaging the flexible flanges 62 of the lower end cap 58 of the lower hub sub-assembly 26 from the retaining edge. The upper and lower hub sub-assemblies 24, 26 are thus capable of being moved away from each other. The ends of the two cords 34 extending from the upper hub sub-assembly 24 may then be pulled upwardly from the top of the upper hub sub-assembly. This movement causes the two cords 34 to engage with and turn the pulleys 72 in the lower hub sub-assembly 26, thereby causing the lower hub sub-assembly to move toward the upper hub sub-assembly 24 until they are positioned adjacent to each other and the flexible flanges 62 are aligned with the retaining edge 80 of the upper end cap 36 in the upper hub sub-assembly 24. The cords 34 and pulleys 72 increase the mechanical advantage to move the upper and lower hub sub-assemblies 24, 26 together, thereby decreasing the amount of force a user must exert to achieve this movement.

In operation, a user pulls on the cords 34 to move the lower hub sub-assembly 26 toward the upper hub sub-assembly 24. This movement engages the retaining edges 80, 82 of the upper end cap 36 and the flanges 62 of the lower end cap, respectfully. In this position, the cam release 42, by virtue of the cords being pulled to align the openings of the cam release, upper end cap 36, and the lower end cap 58, is in a neutral position in which the ribs 78 are spaced from the retaining edges 82 of the flanges 62. To disengage the lower hub sub-assembly 26 from the upper hub sub-assembly 24, the cam release 42 may be rotated to engage the ribs 78 with the retaining edges 82 of the flexible flanges 62, thereby causing the retaining edges 82 to move inboard with respect to the retaining edge 80 of the upper end cap 36. This movement unlocks the upper and lower hub-subassemblies 24, 26 from one another to enable the movement of the frame assembly 12 to a stowed configuration.

FIGS. 10-16 illustrate a frame assembly of another embodiment.

FIGS. 17-21 illustrate a frame assembly of yet another embodiment.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this disclosure, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A frame assembly for a flexible structure, the frame assembly comprising: a plurality of leg assemblies, each leg assembly including a longer leg portion and a shorter leg portion that is hingedly connected at one end thereof to the longer leg portion; and a hub assembly including an upper hub hingedly secured to the longer leg portions of the plurality of leg assemblies, a lower hub hingedly secured to the shorter leg portions of the plurality of leg assemblies and configured to be releasably secured to the upper hub, and a cam release secured to the upper hub and configured to release the lower hub from the upper hub.
 2. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper hub includes a retaining edge, and wherein the lower hub includes one or more flange projecting to the upper hub, the one or more flange including a mating retaining edge configured to releasably secure the lower hub to the upper hub.
 3. The frame assembly of claim 2, wherein the cam release includes one or more rib configured to releasably engage the one or more flange when rotating the cam release with respect to the upper hub.
 4. The frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more cords connected to one of the upper and lower hubs, the one or more cords being configured to draw the upper and lower hubs toward one another.
 5. The frame assembly of claim 4, further comprising one or more pulleys, secured to the other of the upper and lower hubs, the one or more cords engaging the one or more pulleys to assist in drawing the upper and lower hubs toward one another.
 6. The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower hubs are each configured to releasably secure the respective leg portion to the hub.
 7. The frame assembly of claim 6, wherein the upper and lower hubs each include a slot formed on an outer surface of the hub, and wherein each leg assembly includes a spline pivotally connected to the respective leg portion of the leg assembly, the spline being secured within the slot by one or more pins. 